Gender identity invalidation and suicide risk among trans and nonbinary individuals

Area of Science:

• Psychology
• Sociology
• Public Health

Background:

• Gender identity invalidation, where one's identity is not accepted as valid, is a unique minority stressor.
• It can be conceptualized as a distinct form of enacted stigma (discrimination).
• Existing research has largely overlooked the impact of invalidation on gender minority populations.

Purpose of the Study:

• To examine the association between gender identity invalidation and other minority stressors.
• To investigate the relationship between invalidation and suicide risk (ideation and attempt).
• To propose and test a theoretical framework for understanding these associations.

Main Methods:

• Cross-sectional data from 303 trans and nonbinary (TNB) individuals across three major US metropolitan areas.
• Structural equation modeling (SEM) was used to analyze the proposed path analytical framework.
• Analyses were adjusted for sociodemographic factors and general discrimination.

Main Results:

• Invalidation experiences were directly associated with internalized stigma (shame), felt stigma (expectations of rejection), and past-year suicide attempts.
• Invalidation was indirectly associated with past-year suicide ideation, mediated by expectations of rejection.
• Sociodemographic factors and general discrimination were accounted for in the model.

Conclusions:

• Gender identity invalidation is a significant minority stressor that directly increases suicide risk.
• Invalidation indirectly elevates suicide risk through increased expectations of rejection.
• Further research and attention are needed to address invalidation as a critical factor impacting the mental health of gender minority individuals.